10/24/2024
Check your perimeter signs if you post your property ! We caught an illegal hunter on our farm a couple years back.  Fish and Game/ Police prosecuted and because of our signage he lost his license temporarily and we donated the buck to a food pantry after it was processed. 
Several Convicted as part of Operation Night Cat
In December 2022 Conservation Officers with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department received information of illegal hunting activities in the Town of Gilmanton. Based on evidence found during the initial investigation, Conservation Officers and the Gilmanton Police Department executed a search warrant on a cell camera and cell phone belonging to Thomas Kelley of Gilmanton. During the search, evidence of illegal hunting activity was found implicating Kelley as well as various other individuals.
On January 12, 2023 Conservation Officers, US Fish and Wildlife Service Agents, Gilmanton Police Department, and Webster Police Department executed multiple search warrants. One in the Town of Gilmanton on suspect Thomas Kelley, one in the Town of Loudon on suspect Sherwood Dubrey, and one in the Town of Webster on suspect Randy Inman. Multiple fi****ms with video recording scopes and infrared lights attached, archery equipment, electronic devices, wildlife pelts, and mounts were seized during the search warrants. While reviewing the digital evidence collected on those three warrants, two more suspects were identified regarding wildlife violations committed in New Hampshire. They were identified as Jonathan Carroca from Dracut, Massachusetts and Gerald Williams from Canterbury, New Hampshire.
This case identified several suspects and spread over multiple jurisdictions, requiring the involvement of three different counties, three courts, and numerous personnel from various County Attorney’s Offices. These factors, combined with a large volume of digital evidence, resulted in a lengthy investigation lasting many months. The officer’s persistence and determination led to multiple arrests.
- In March of 2023 Thomas Kelley, 33, of Gilmanton, NH was arrested at the Gilmanton Police Department for multiple wildlife crimes.
On May 16, 2024 Kelley plead to 7 violations to include Illegal Night Hunting, Hunting under suspension, Illegal Baiting of Wildlife, and Illegal Baiting of Black Bear. A .22 rifle with video recording scope and infrared light and a bobcat mount have been forfeited. Kelley was fined $4,991 and lost his hunting privileges for 3 ½ years.
- On March 26, 2023 Sherwood Dubrey, 46, of Loudon, NH was arrested on multiple wildlife crimes.
On May 21, 2024 Dubrey plead Nolo Contendere to 10 Illegal Night Hunting charges - all class B Misdemeanors. Mr. Dubrey was ordered to pay $2,790 in fines and restitution. His hunting privileges were suspended for 3 ½ years. An additional $9,341 in fines was suspended pending 5 years good behavior.
- On March 26, 2023 Randy Inman, 47, of Webster, NH was arrested for multiple wildlife crimes.
On September 20, 2024 Inman plead guilty to 13 Illegal Night Hunting charges - all class B Misdemeanors and 3 violations of Illegal Possession of Deer. Mr. Inman was fined $3,720 in fines and $1,725 in restitution along with a loss of hunting and trapping privileges for 10 years. In addition, $7,494 fines and $1,425 in restitution was suspended pending 5 years good behavior. Inman’s .22 caliber rifle with night vision scope, IPhone, and IPad that were used in the commission of his crimes, were forfeited to the State. Inman was also convicted of Obstruction of Governmental Administration, a Class A misdemeanor, with 12 months in the House of Corrections suspended for 2 years pending good behavior.
- In September 2023 Jonathan Carroca, 35, of Dracut, Massachusetts was served with 3 black bear baiting violations and 1 violation of taking a black bear illegally in 2022. On May 17, 2024 a trial was held in the 4th Circuit District Division Court in Laconia. On May 21, 2024 Jonathan Carroca was found guilty on all charges. Carroca was fined $992 and lost his hunting privileges for 1 year.
- On March 5, 2024 Gerald Williams, 68, of Canterbury, NH plead to 2 counts of illegal trapping, was fined $248 and lost his trapping privileges for 1 year.
All 5 individuals have been entered into the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact (IWVC). The IWVC is an interstate compact between all 50 US states. The compact creates reciprocity among member states for purposes of hunting, fishing, and trapping license suspensions. These individuals will be suspended in all 50 states for the equal type and time period as their New Hampshire suspensions. Federal investigations are ongoing and charges are still pending.
This investigation also identified additional suspects with wildlife violations in other states. These individuals are facing charges in the respective states where the violation(s) occurred. This case was one of New Hampshire’s largest poaching cases in recent times. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department would like to thank all local, State and Federal agencies that assisted with this case.
